Like most Americans, I’m really devoted to the products I buy. I’ve been using Old Spice since I was 15 and entered my “Frank Sinatra” phase, on a bad day nothing cheers me up quite like a bowl (or six) of Lucky Charms or Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and seeing a Taco Bell sign or McDonald’s golden arches on a long car trip never fails to reinvigorate me. For better or worse, we Americans have developed an attachment to these brands and the companies that make them.

Forest clearing for palm oil, like this in Sabah, Malaysia, destroys habitat for endangered species and contributes to climate change. (Photo: Rhett Butler)

So, as I delved into the commitments these companies have made to address palm-related deforestation and peatland destruction I was disheartened to see how little some brands I love are doing to address the problem. That research was part of a project to score 30 top consumer companies in the fast food, personal care, and packaged food sectors on their commitments to source deforestation- and peat-free palm oil. The report, which was released this week, shows that while a few companies are leading the way, most have a long way to go to fully address palm-related habitat destruction and climate emissions.

Learn more about the fast food sectors scores at www.ucsusa.org/palmoilscorecard

Over-reliance on half-measures

On average, personal care companies scored better than the fast food sector. However, only two companies, L’Oréal and Reckitt Benckiser (which makes Clearasil and other products) have committed to buy traceable deforestation- and peat-free palm oil. Many of the other companies rely on the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards to meet their palm oil commitments. I’ve written before on the limitations of the RSPO to address deforestation and peatland conversion. Companies in all three sectors that currently rely on the RSPO need to go further in order to fully address the deforestation and peatland destruction associated with palm oil.

Learn more about the personal care sector at www.uscusa.org/palmoilscorecard

Leading the way but a long way to go

The packaged food sector has the strongest commitments overall. Four out of ten companies (Kellogg’s, Mondelēz, Nestlé, Unilever) are leading the way with commitments to buy traceable deforestation- and peat-free palm oil. The rest of the companies in this sector have a lot of work to do to catch up with the leaders.

Even those companies that have made strong commitments, however, still have a long road ahead of them. Commitments are only the first step, and are only as good as the paper they’re printed on. The real change takes place when companies act on their commitments and put them into practice. A journey might start with a single step, but you’ll never reach your destination if you don’t take the rest of them.

Learn more about the packaged food sector’s scores at www.ucsusa.org/palmoilscorecard

Consumers speak, companies listen

What can you do to make companies change their ways? The best thing you can do is demand that these companies take deforestation off their ingredient list. We know from experience that when consumers talk, companies listen. For example, back in 2010 consumers and NGOs organized a massive campaign against Nestlé, after it was linked to deforestation and other problems related to the palm oil it used. As a direct result Nestlé now has the strongest palm oil commitment out there.

Chemicals derived from palm oil are found in many deodorants, soaps, and moisturizers. (Photo: iStockphoto-alexpurs)

Does this mean you should stop buying products with palm oil? The short answer is “no.” The longer answer can be found in this post. It’s more effective to pressure companies than it is to change global buying habits.

So, let’s make sure we can buy our favorite products without feeling a pang of guilt and demand that ALL companies stop buying palm oil that destroys forests and peatland. Based on our review of 30 companies, UCS has chosen six of the largest palm oil buyers in the fast food, personal care, and packaged food sectors that have the ability to help move the entire industry—if they act now. We need your help to convince these big brands to take palm oil seriously. Visit www.ucsusa.org/palmoilaction to send a message to the companies demanding that they do better.

About the author:
Calen May-Tobin is a lead analyst with the Tropical Forest and Climate Initiative and conducts research on palm-related deforestation and how to reduce the land-use carbon footprint of the palm oil industry.
He holds a Master’s degree in ecology from the University of California, Irvine. See Calen's full bio.

Support from UCS members make work like this possible. Will you join us? Help UCS advance independent science for a healthy environment and a safer world.

http://www.triplepundit.com Nick Aster

Very interesting stuff! I’m curious about some of the low scorers like Kraft…. does their score reflect bad practices or just the fact that someone didn’t get around to filling out the survey?

Jen Tinsman

Thank you for this thorough and eye-opening contribution! Is there going to be an app with this information, a la the Seafood Watch App from the Monterey Bay Aquarium? It would make changing my buying habits a lot easier.

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